Communication on ‘Shaping Europe’s digital future’

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 19 February 2020, setting out the vision for creating a framework relating to the development and operation of digital technologies.

Further information:

This Communication sets three key objectives to frame the development and operation of digital technologies in a way that benefits citizens:

• Technology that works for people;
• A fair and competitive economy;
• An open, democratic and sustainable society.

This vision aims at prioritising the development, deployment and uptake of technology that makes a real difference to people's daily lives, in an economy that masters and shapes technology in a way that respects European values. It also argues for a frictionless single market, where companies of all sizes and in any sector can compete on equal terms. Finally, it also stands for a trustworth environment in which citizens are empowered in how they act and interact, and of the data they provide both online and offline. The strategy aims at digital transformation which enhances democratic values, respects fundamental rights, and contributes to a sustainable, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy.

The Communication was published by the European Commission on 19 February 2020 as part of a package which also includes a White Paper on Artificial Intelligence and a European Data Strategy.

• Alternative Source 1
• Alternative Source 2

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 19/02/2020: Shaping Europe's digital future: Commission presents strategies for data and Artificial Intelligence https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_273

European Commission: News, 19/02/2020: Shaping Europe's digital future: op-ed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ac_20_260

European Commission: Shaping Europe's digital future – Questions and Answers (19 February 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_264

European Commission: Press remarks by President von der Leyen on the Commission's new strategy: Shaping Europe's Digital Future (19 February 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_294

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News

The Wall Street Journal, 19/02/2020: Big Tech to Face More Requirements in Europe on Data Sharing, AI https://www.wsj.com/articles/big-tech-to-faces-more-restrictions-in-europe-on-data-ai-11582111937

The New York Times, 19/02/2020: Europe, Overrun by Foreign Tech Giants, Wants to Grow Its Own https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/business/europe-digital-economy.html

The Economist, 19/02/2020: The EU wants to set the rules for the world of technology https://www.economist.com/business/2020/02/19/the-eu-wants-to-set-the-rules-for-the-world-of-technology

Bloomberg, 19/02/2020: Europe Takes on China, U.S With Plan to Regulate Global Tech https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/europe-asks-for-respect-from-u-s-chinese-ai-under-new-rules

EurActiv, 19/02/2020: The commission‘s digital strategy: More competition, less emissions https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/the-commissions-digital-strategy-more-competition-less-emissions/

RTÉ News, 19/02/2020: European Union plans new rules around AI, data sharing https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0219/1116274-europe-digital-strategy/

EUObserver, 20/02/2020: EU backtracks on plans to ban facial recognition https://euobserver.com/science/147500

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 19/02/2020: Europe’s digital vision, explained https://www.politico.eu/article/europes-digital-vision-explained/

CEPS: In Brief, 19/02/2020: Europe’s digital independence day https://www.ceps.eu/europes-digital-independence-day/

Politico, 24/02/2020: Europe is fighting tech battle with one hand tied behind its back https://www.politico.eu/article/digital-strategy-data-artificial-intelligence-europe-china-us/

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